Dak Prescott has a lot to concern himself with during fall camp. Mississippi State’s quarterback saw guard Gabe Jackson, the team’s best player (and Prescott’s best protector), get drafted by the Oakland Raiders. His starting running back, LaDarius Perkins, is also in the NFL.

Don’t forget his right tackle, Charles Siddoway, is also gone.

But Prescott’s attention is mostly on the players flanked out from him.

“Definitely, the receivers,” Prescott said. “We have a good bit of receivers. I think those guys that have the starting tag going into the season are going to be challenged.”

Jameon Lewis locked down the No. 1 spot with 923 yards last year. De’Runnya Wilson is poised for a breakout sophomore season after compiling the most receiving yards by a freshman in five years.

But others are impressing the quarterback. Prescott named Gabe Myles, Fred Ross and Fred Brown as rising talents.

Wideout is just one spot where the competition will be high during camp. Let’s take a look at the others:

Left guard/right tackle

Mississippi State doesn’t list a starting left guard in its preseason depth chart. It currently shows Jamaal Clayborn or Kent Flowers as the options. Clayborn appeared in the final seven games last year. Flowers, who redshirted, makes his debut this season.

It also doesn’t list a starting right tackle. Damien Robinson and Jake Thomas are both competing for that job.

“Every position is a battle,” guard Ben Beckwith said.

Beckwith is listed as the starting right guard, but he’ll likely have competition from Justin Malone. Malone started MSU’s first game against Oklahoma State last year but broke his foot in the first quarter and missed the final 12 games. Beckwith started in his place.

Offensive line coach John Hevesy hopes to have 10 players he can turn to as the season starts.

Running back

Dan Mullen hinted that Josh Robinson would be the team’s starter heading into fall camp. When MSU released its preseason depth chart, Nick Griffin joined Robinson as the starter. Griffin enjoyed the best spring of any back. He ran over a few defensive backs and established himself as the best blocker out of the backfield.

But Robinson, a junior, has performed better in games. In 31 games, Griffin, a rising senior, has 427 yards rushing. In 25 games, Robinson has rushed for 794.

Injuries ravaged Griffin’s career at MSU. He’s torn his ACL in both knees. When given the time though, he produced. He’s averaged 5.9 yards per carry in his career. Robinson is at 6.0.

Behind them are young talents Ashton Shumpert and freshman Aeris Williams, last season’s Mr. Football for The Clarion-Ledger.

“Everybody wants to play. Everybody wants to be that guy,” Prescott said. “Josh Robinson, Shumpert, Griffin, all the way down to Aeris. They have the talent.”

Safety

Mississippi State doesn’t list a starter at either free or strong safety. It will be an open competition throughout camp. Kendrick Market finished with the third most tackles on the team last year with 62. But he’s being tested by senior Jay Hughes, who missed all but a quarter of last year and the spring with an Achilles injury.

“(Hughes) is one of our most important leaders,” cornerback Taveze Calhoun said. “He’s a vocal leader. He’s always positive. He keeps everything together.”

Next to Hughes and Market stands Justin Cox and Deontay Evans at free safety. Both enjoyed a promising spring camp as the leaders in the “Get the Ball” award. Both enter their first season at Mississippi State at safety. Evans redshirted last year, while Cox played cornerback.

Defensive line

This competition will continue throughout the season. Mississippi State lists eight names on its defensive line depth chart. Chris Jones is listed as a reserve to P.J. Jones at defensive tackle. Ryan Brown and A.J. Jefferson will compete for a starting gig at defensive end.

The line won’t be judged by starts but by total snaps and who finishes games. Unlike some other positions, all eight names (and probably more) will shuffle in during games.

The depth causes a line-wide competition. Chris Jones and Nelson Adams, both listed as tackles, will likely see time at end as well. Of the three starters listed — P.J. Jones, Kaleb Eulls and Preston Smith — Smith probably has secured his spot the most.

“We never feel like we’re starters. We don’t know who’s going to start the week before the game,” said Chris Jones, a former five-star recruit.